Writings of Recovery

I was speaking on the phone with another 12 step recovery fellow this morning.  We were both walking in a park while talking, separated across the continent.  She was in Brooklyn; I was in California. She sent me a photo of an oppossum she spied sitting up in a tree. 

My HP used this moment to impress upon me how the oppossum moves slow….and the reminder how my ego wants me to be perfect, to do things perfectly, to feel good right NOW and go to whatever lengths to feel good in that moment.

The quick and urgent vs. the slow, methodical plodding of the oppossum…

My ego yells fast and loud…my Higher Power whispers slowly and gently…

The slow, daily working of the steps that leads to life of recovery.

A recovered life where the unfolding of the day can be slow, calm, centered, balanced, peace-filled, despite circumstance.

(I shared this insight with my son and he said, ‘but mom, also remember that oppossum plays dead!” YES!! That was me before the 12 Steps! Deadening myself with addictive substance and behavior. ‘Nothing to see here people, move along.  I’m fine. I’m fine….I’m FIIIINNNEEEE. )

So for today, the oppossum is my spirit animal.